Some Plants are Optimistic

It rained, more than an inch, two weeks ago. Of course, from a human perspective the drought is not over, but the plants are optimistic.

A few chaparral currants have started blooming, and have also started putting out new leaves. These currants are always one of the earliest bloomers of the rainy season, starting just after the first rain. Other members of the genus, the gooseberries, are also starting to leaf out — but they aren’t ready to bloom yet.

But this is not a time for many blooms. A few summer blooms still linger, and a few winter blooms are opening but most plants wait until later to flower.

What they are doing, however, is putting out new leaves. Having been born and raised on the east coast it is hard for me to realize that Fall is a time of regrowth. Raindrops fall here (one hopes), but leaves do not, or not much.

Many small annual forbs (which I can’t identify yet) have sprung up. Perennials which have been dead sticks for months now have a few little green leaves on them. Even a few shrubs have bright green new leaves mingled among the dingy ones from last year. A few ferns are poking up new fronds, and old fronds suddenly look green again. The spikemoss has resurrected itself.

A few plants put out new leaves even before the rains. Rambling Phacelia started in late September and I saw new Chamise and Pacific Morning Glory leaves the day before the rains. But most plants needed the rain.